Our paragraph topic is: (Peter's confession) Part 2.
What do men say, Christ asked his disciples. What do the people say? What are the people thinking when it came to the Son of Man? For in their thoughts were the beliefs and desires of the heart. And in the hearts of men were the keys that opened the door to the love of God or the possession of evil. Who had the major influence? Who did the people know? Whom did they think would win the battle? Did they believe in Christ? Did they know his true identity? Did they accept that he was the Messiah sent by God himself? Or was he just another prophet sent to carry the message to man.
What did men say that the Son of man is? It was important to know. It was important to believe that he was the Christ. It was important to hear what the disciples were hearing but also to know what they were knowing. For they were the eyes and ears connected to the people. They were out there listening. They were out there talking. They were out there sharing with the people what they were receiving from Christ. So what were they receiving from the people. What did the people say who he was? But they said,"Some say,
John the Baptist; and others, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets."What do men say, Christ asked his disciples. What do the people say? What are the people thinking when it came to the Son of Man? For in their thoughts were the beliefs and desires of the heart. And in the hearts of men were the keys that opened the door to the love of God or the possession of evil. Who had the major influence? Who did the people know? Whom did they think would win the battle? Did they believe in Christ? Did they know his true identity? Did they accept that he was the Messiah sent by God himself? Or was he just another prophet sent to carry the message to man.
What did men say that the Son of man is? It was important to know. It was important to believe that he was the Christ. It was important to hear what the disciples were hearing but also to know what they were knowing. For they were the eyes and ears connected to the people. They were out there listening. They were out there talking. They were out there sharing with the people what they were receiving from Christ. So what were they receiving from the people. What did the people say who he was? But they said,"Some say,
What do men say who I am? What do men say about Christ? I just finished watching a popular movie where a captain was trying to persuade a crash victim to take his point of view. The victim and his wife were devout Christians. They asked him to pray with them about the cause and the outcome of the crash. The request to pray was awkward and strange and the reaction of the moviegoers was even more pronounced. You could feel the tension and disbelief in the audience as the request was made. It was as if a mentally ill person had asked someone to take their hand so that they could fly to the moon together. Who do men say I am? Is it the same disbelief and doubt and awkwardness when one talks about Christ in public.
It is almost as if Christ does not belong in the public. His name is not to be spoken or talked about in the open, but only in churches and synagogues and chapels. There is the public life and then there is the church life and the two shall not mix. Yet we were created in the image and likeness of God. And God is love.
Do we carry love with us? Is it in us? Does it surround us in our daily lives. Can we express it? Can we talk about divine love and not physical love? Can we embrace it in others no matter who they are or what they have done?
Deep down within we are all children of light, or children of darkness, depending on if we believe in the gift that God has given us through Christ Jesus. Whether we have committed grievous sins, murders, adultery, etc., we were still created in the image and likeness of God. When darkness comes in and evil turns us and persuades us to do evil, we still have the likeness of God within us. And it is that likeness that allows us to ask God for forgiveness. And it is that same likeness that allows God to forgive us when we become aware of the evil that has invaded us and ask for his help.
Speak of Christ with love. Know him from within. Be an example of love and not an evangelist needing to convert everyone that you see and meet. See him in everyone. Love him in everyone. For love transcends all and in heaven we are filled with his love because his love is like the sun that shines on all. We are the children of God created in his likeness. God is love and we are eternal spiritual love. Come! Follow the path that is set before you. Know the truth of who you are and awaken the love of Christ that comes from his truth. Christ awaits you. God sends his love and his protection and his provisions. For the truth will set you free and the love will open your heart to the treasure that awaits your discovery. May the gift of God be in your heart!
Read the sign of the times! Read the Highlighted New Testament Bible and lift the scales from your eyes that you may see, that you may know, that you may find the truth of who you are in Christ. Read it as though you would read a good book, from cover to cover, and see for yourself. Do not study it in parts reading one passage and then skipping to another, but read it for understanding. Read it for knowledge. Read it for faith. Read it that your eyes may be opened, that your ears may hear, that your heart may be filled with the light of Christ. The Holy Spirit awaits you. Christ seeks to know you. Open the door and let him in!
